OCTOBER 24TH, 2015Get the whole family involved in the 16th annual IGT Legs for Literacy weekend.

On Saturday, October 24th families will have the opportunity to get active together by participating in the Family Run/Walk Event at Riverfront Park in Downtown Moncton.

Registration for the event is only $10 per family and children will receive a racing bib, a medal, a book and the chance to win one of three $50 gift cards to Chapters.

“We’re really lucky to have an event that celebrates both getting active and reading,” says Stephanie Patterson, committee member and organizer of the Family Run/Walk Event. “Every child who participates can bring their race bib into our Expo at The Delta Hotel after the event and collect a book to take home with them.”

Children ages 0-8 will walk, run or wheel 1 KM on the Riverfront Trail and children 9-13 years old will walk, run or wheel 2 KM on the same trail. The IGT Legs for Literacy committee is proud to partner with Athletics New Brunswick (ANB) for this event. ANB will be onsite offering Run, Jump, Throw Wheel active session to add even more physical fun to the day. This activity will allow young athletes a chance to get acquainted with track and field activities in a non-competitive environment.

Proceeds from all of the IGT Legs for Literacy events go directly back into the community, supporting literacy initiatives for people of all ages.

For more information please contact Stephanie Patterson at

stephanie.patterson@nbed.nb.ca or by phone at 869-6004.

Get the whole family involved in the 16th annual IGT Legs for Literacy
weekend. On Saturday, October 24th families will have the opportunity to get
active together by participating in the Family Run/Walk Event at Riverfront Park
in Downtown Moncton .
Registration for the event is only $10 per family and children will receive a racing
bib, a medal, a book and the chance to win one of three $50 gift cards to Chapters.
“We’re really lucky to have an event that celebrates both getting active and
reading,” says Stephanie Patterson, committee member and organizer of the
Family Run/Walk Event. “Every child who participates can bring their race bib
into our Expo at The Delta Hotel after the event and collect a book to take home
with them.”
Children ages 0-8 will walk, run or wheel 1 KM on the Riverfront Trail and
children 9-13 years old will walk, run or wheel 2 KM on the same trail.
The IGT Legs for Literacy committee is proud to partner with Athletics New
Brunswick (ANB) for this event. ANB will be onsite offering Run, Jump, Throw
and Wheel active session to add even more physical fun to the day. This activity
will allow young athletes a chance to get acquainted with track and field activities
in a non-competitive environment.
Families can find more information and register online at
http://anb.ca/legsfunrun
Registration will also be available onsite between 9:15 and 9:45 a.m.
The first trail event will begin at 10 a.m.
Proceeds from all of the IGT Legs for Literacy events go directly back into the
community, supporting literacy initiatives for people of all ages.
For more information please contact Stephanie Patterson at
stephanie.patterson@nbed.nb.ca or by phone at 869-6004.

Sep 28 2015 - Moncton to host U22 Eastern Espoir Championships

Moncton will once again host a major track and field championships as the U22 Eastern Espoir Championships will be held in New Brunswick.

On August 6th & 7th, 2016 the Stade Moncton Stadium will welcome the best under 22 year old athletes from the eastern provinces. Over 300 athletes coming from Ontario, Quebec and each of the Atlantic Provinces will battle for not only individual titles but also a team championships award!

"We are extremely happy to have this event in our province,’’ said Gabriel LeBlanc, Technical Director of Athletics New Brunswick. “This event will allow our athletes to compete among some of the best athletes in Canada and will play a vital role in our preparation for the 2017 Canada Games, of which all athletes competing at this meet will still be eligible for.”

This championships certainly brings memories of Moncton’s recent image of hosting high profile competitions, including the IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships in 2010, the Hub City Track Classic annually, and the Canadian Track and Field Championships in 2013 and 2014.

This is the second time New Brunswick will have played host to these championships as Saint John hosted it in 2002. Other cities to have hosted this competition include Halifax, Toronto and Mount Pearl.

Sep 28 2015 - Jason Reindl honored by Coach NB

Our very own High Performance coach Jason Reindl was recently awarded the 2015 Sport champion award for coaching. Jason received this award for his continuous work in helping athletes reach their goals. Congratulation Jason and keep up the good work !

Sep 23 2015 - 2017 Canada Summer Games Coach Profiles: Bill MacMackin

2017 Canada Summer Games Coach Profiles:

Coach #1 - BILL MACMACKIN

For all who know Bill MacMackin, Saint John native and current middle distance coach of the Saint John Track Club, it is clear that he is one of athletics’ biggest enthusiasts. It is no surprise that Coach MacMackin made the decision to revive the Saint John Track Club back in 2005 as he was once an athlete who competed proudly for the club back in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He continued to thrive in the sport as an athlete throughout his university years where he competed for the University of New Brunswick Cross Country Team. As an athlete, Coach MacMackin has many fond memories, which he claims are “all favorites”. He reflected on some of those memories which included being a part of legion teams and winning the AUS Cross Country Championships for UNB in his last year. More recently, his most cherished athletics memories have been seeing the Saint John Track Club and the UNB team reborn and the Canada Games Stadium rebuilt. He is very proud of hosting well run track meets in Saint John, whether it is NBIAA, Masters or any other event. His number one excitement in athletics, however, is Monday and Thursday nights in May and June, he says, “when we have 100+ at practice; athletes of all ages and abilities having fun and training.”

Coach MacMackin has an incredible passion for athletics and he brings a wealth of knowledge to the sport. Athletics New Brunswick is extremely fortunate to have this coach on board for the 2017 Canada Summer Games. Coach MacMackin was asked if he has any advice for the athletes hoping to represent our province at the games and he had this to say:

- Focus on a goal of “more than just making the team.”
- Set a performance goal for yourself now, two years out – a real high caliber result!
- Identify the training needed and the key competitions.
- Build a logical and attainable plan to get there.

Looking ahead to 2017, Coach MacMackin is getting pumped up for the athletes, the competition and seeing New Brunswick strive for success. He could not be more excited about being a part of the games coaching staff and is looking forward to leading a great group of athletes. He’s ready to promote the Canada Games program over the next two years so that athletes are ready and excited for the next games.

Stay tuned for more coaching profiles.

Sep 21 2015 - National Coaches Week

Athletics New Brunswick would like to take this time to acknowledge the great work of all its coaches! Your dedication to our sport and our youth is truly amazing. Thank you!

Take a moment to say "Thank You Coach" in celebration of coaches week from September 19th to September 27th, 2014.

This past Sunday, UNBSJ was host to the Saint John Throws meet, a small but mighty group of athletes took advantage of the good weather to set personal best, provincial records and even a Canadian record

Paul Gautier of Rothesay was unquestionably the star of the day setting 3 M50-54 provincial records and one National record. His provincial records include a 43.83m throw in discus, a 41.33m toss in the hammer throw and a combined score of 3614pts in the Weight Pentathlon. His Pentathlon score breaks his own Canadian record and ranks him 11th in the world for this season.

Adrienne Cameron of Saint John Set 3 provincial record in the W65-69 category first in the discus throw with a toss of 15m91 , then in the javelin with a 13m48 performance and finally in the weight throw with a 6m43.

Dave Jefferson of Saint John set a new provincial M70-74 record with a throw of 31m81 in the Hammer throw.

Imrich Kiraly of Siant John set a new mark in the Mens 65-69 hammer throw with a performance of 29m99.

Edna Thibodeau of Shediac set a new mark in the W90-94 shot put with a throw of 3m32.

-Liam Turgeon of Tide Head winning both the U19 shot put (12m76) and Hammer (37m48).

‘’It’s great to see our masters athletes set so many records !’’ said Gabriel LeBlanc techincial director of Athletics New Brunswick ‘’These athletes show that at any ages you can surpass yourself and that sports is for life’’ added LeBlanc

Many of these athletes will compete at theFall Throws Spectacular on October 17th in Moncton

Sep 17 2015 - Athletics New Brunswick Announces its High Performance Teams from the Outdoor Season

Athletics New Brunswick is pleased to announce its’ High Performance Program teams from the 2015 outdoor season. These athletes achieved performance standards which place them as the best in the province, and in many cases among the best in the country. As a part of the High Performance teams, these athletes will have special training and competition opportunities to help them continue to improve with the goal of representing New Brunswick on the national and international stage. A total of 41 athletes achieved the required performance standards, with 11 of those being named to the A team.

“New Brunswick athletes continue to develop and perform at a very high level,” said ANB Director of High Performance Steve LeBlanc. He added, “This summer, we had some of our athletes compete at the very highest levels, including national champions and international medalists. Caleb Jones and Gen Lalonde continue to perform at the very highest levels, and many of our other athletes are following their examples.”

ANB Technical Director Gabriel LeBlanc also noted the international successes of NB athletes. “Veronica Coombes was a multiple international medal winner this summer,” he noted. “And Geneviève Lalonde’s season was simply amazing! Bronze at Pan Am Games and finishing 19th at the IAAF World Championships were great accomplishments, but her participation in an IAAF Diamond league meet was a first for a New Brunswicker, and truly shows the level she has attained,” added LeBlanc.

Sep 15 2015 - Shayne Dobson named to the 2015 IPC World Championships team

Shayne Dobson, of Campbelton (now in Moncton) will be among the 35 athletes wearing the Canada uniform at the 2015 2015 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

The recent University of Moncton Kinesiology graduate will compete in the T37 1500m , an event he is currently ranked 3rd in the world and holds the Canadian Record in this event (4:21.10) he set in Moncton in August.

At the 2011 Para Pan Ams games in Guadalajara, Mexico he won a silver medal in the 800 meters and bronze in the 1,500 meters.

‘’This is great for our program and continues to show that New Brunswick is a leading for in Para Athletics in Canada. We hope that this medal will inspire athletes in our province’’ said Gabriel LeBlanc LeBlanc Technical Director of Athletics New Brunswick ‘’Shayne is extremely hard worker and very deserving of this and we are sure he will represent New Brunswick and Canada well.’’

At the last IPC Worlds in 2013 (Lyon, France) Canada won 15 medals, including seven gold, and set 19 Canadian records. Brent Lakatos of Dorval, Que., and Michelle Stilwell of Nanoose Bay, B.C., led the way with four gold for Lakatos and three by Stilwell. In 2011 Canada took home 12 medals from the IPC World Championships (4 gold).

“The team’s objectives are to put more athletes into finals, win more total medals and win more gold medals than at the last IPC Worlds,” said Peter Eriksson, Head Coach and Chief Technical Officer.

Athletics New Brunswick is excited to announce that its 2015 cross country season will begin this weekend and will continue through till the end of November, concluding with the Canadian Championships, to be held in Kingston, Ontario on November 28th, 2015.

Currently, there are over 40 cross country events listed on the ANB calendar. A number of these events offer racing opportunities to all ages while some are specific, be it elementary school, middle school, high school, college or university.

“This year we have events all across New Brunswick. And promises to once again be a great season. In 2014, over 4000 runners took part in cross country events in New Brunswick and we believe our 2015 events will attract even more” said Gabriel Leblanc, Technical Director of Athletics New Brunswick.

Included in the over 40 events will be our championship series including:

- The NBIAA High School Championships will take place on October 16th in Hampton

-The New Brunswick Middle School (Grade 5-8) Championships on October 17th in Moncton on the University of Moncton Campus.

-The Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association Championships will be held on Moncton on October 24th.

-Fredericton will play host to both the Atlantic Cross Country Championships and the Atlantic University Championship meet on October 31st in O’Dell Park. New Brunswick will field a team for these Championships

Following the domestic calendar New Brunswick's top athlete will travel to Kingston, Ontario on November 28th for the Canadian Cross Country Championships.

“In recent years, New Brunswick athletes have had extremely successful cross country season with many athletes making National teams. Last season, two of New Brunswick's finest (Barry Britt and Ryan Cassidy) competed at the highest stage, the IAAF World Championships, in Guiyang, China. Cross Country is a big part of our sport and our goal is to continue to see it flourish,” added Leblanc.

Sep 12 2015 - Canada Games : 700 days to go

700 days to go

September 12th, 2015 is a special day in that it marks the 700-day countdown until the 2017 Jeux Canada Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba open.

In an effort to kick off this countdown and create more excitement about the 2017 Games Athletics New Brunswick, the 2017 coaching staff, and the Canada Games program are excited to announce its first 2017 Identification List. This list comprises more than 90 athletes from across the province that have shown potential in representing New Brunswick at the games.

“We are very excited about the depth and quality of this list and the statement it makes about the athletes, coaches, clubs, and programs we have in the province,”said Head Coach Jason Reindl. Included are 3 Canada Games medals 1 national junior medal, 20 national legion medals, and dozens of provincial records. Reindl adds, “It is our primary belief that this list will ignite the flame for CSG 2017 in getting athletes and coaches thinking and planning for the games. For those on the list keep on working hard. For those not on the list what can you do differently? How can the CSG staff help you and your coach to prepare? How does this motivate you to get on the list?”

Athletes were selected to the list based off of their 2015 outdoor performances and will receive a t-shirt signifying their inclusion on it.

Please note that inclusion on the list has absolutely no bearing on final team selection in 2017. Athletes who have been named have no greater likelihood of being selected for the games team nor have those not been included having any additional requirements. All items dealing with the selection criteria can be found in the following selection criteria document located on the ANB website that were approved by the ANB board on June 24th, 2015.

Athletics New Brunswick is very pleased to announce that the nomination for the 2015 ANB award is now open!

Please ensure that you nominate athletes/coaches/officials/volunteer for their accomplishments and performances throughout the year. Deadline for submitting names is October 23rd 2015.

Here is the list of awards

Athletics

Bantam male athlete of the year / Bantam female athlete of the year

Midget male athlete of the year / Midget female athlete of the year
Youth male athlete of the year /Youth female athlete of the year
Junior male athlete of the year /Junior female athlete of the year
Senior male athlete of the year/ Senior female athlete of the year

Master athlete of the year

Para athlete of the year

Coach of the year

Official of the year

Volunteer of the year

Team of the year

Cross Country (2014 season)

Junior male athlete of the year /Junior female athlete of the year

Senior male athlete of the year /Senior female athlete of the year

Finalist will be announced on October 30th on anb.ca

The presentation of awards will be held during the ANB year end banquet on November 28th 2015 in Oromocto.

Athletics New Brunswick is pleased to announce the hiring of Alex Holder of Quispamsis to the new position of Director of Run Jump Throw Wheel & First Contact Programs beginning work in early October.

Alex is a graduate of UNB with a Bachelor of Recreation and Sport Studies. He has experience in a range of sports as a volunteer and coach. He has worked with the Town of Rothesay for 3 summers as a camp counselor then moving into the role of Recreation Assistant to lead the town’s summer playground and camp programs. Recently he has been working with Rothesay in a temporary position as Recreation Coordinator.

In his new role with ANB, he will work in partnership with staff and volunteers to expand and enhance the First Contact & Fundamentals programs in Athletics (Track & Field) in the Province of New Brunswick. This will involve working with athletics clubs, schools and community organizations to involve and engage young people ages 6+ in physical activity and particularly the sport of track and field through the Run, Jump, Throw, Wheel program.

This position is funded through a partnership with Athletics NB, Athletics Canada and the Saint John Track Club.